Magra Cave - Neanderthal 'Skyscraper'
About this experience
You are about to embark on a journey to a prehistoric world - you will visit one of the largest karst tunnels in the world. Neanderthals once lived here - numerous findings prove this, and the cave itself even appeared in a National Geographic film about primitive humans. During the tour, you will also enjoy the views of the picturesque canyon, explore the ruins of a 17th-century fortress, and, of course, have lunch at a lovely local restaurant.
What to Expect
Journey into the Primitive World
Long ago, millennia ago, wind and water created a remarkable masterpiece in the Imereti rocks - one of the largest karst tunnels in the world. Soon, an old, still Soviet project is planned to be realized here - to create a viewing platform and steps leading to the cave. But for now, this is part of the wild subtropical Georgian forest, and a walk through these natural places will reveal Georgia to you from a completely different perspective - besides the strong winemaking tradition and mighty ancient temples, there are a huge number of objects for exploration. For example, a millennia-old cave, on different levels of which they continue to find amazing traces of the distant past.
Unique Neanderthal Residential Complex
The main cave is a huge through tunnel into which the Shabatagele river flows. Crossing the river on foot, we enter the main hall, divided into three levels - this is an indescribable spectacle. In the cave, you will see a huge ceiling up to 60 meters high, still covered with soot from Neanderthals' fires. At an unimaginable height in the sheer cliffs, there are up to 14 floors representing a single residential complex from prehistoric times. If you are lucky, you will find a shard of a flint tool or a place of an ancient cooking pit. And at the end of the cave, you will encounter a hall with petrified wild beehives.
Something Else
The tour will end with a walk through the picturesque canyon of the Shabatagele river and a visit to the ruins of a 17th-century fortress. After that, I will take you back to Kutaisi, where you can have lunch at one of the local restaurants.
Organizational Details
- We depart from Kutaisi at 11 am, the journey to the main cave will take 1 hour.
- The trail to the cave entrance is well-maintained but challenging.
- The price includes: guide services, transfer, a 0.5L bottle of water.
- The price does not include: lunch or dinner at a national restaurant.
Ivan
July 26, 2021
Excellent guide, Sergo is beyond words. If you are planning to take this tour, you need to understand that the trail is not easy, with slippery rocks in some places, and you should dress appropriately not to be afraid of getting tired, as a person with excess weight, it was difficult for me to climb...
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Vitaliya
September 17, 2019
A huge thank you to Sergey for the fascinating, interesting tour of the cave! Thanks to his perseverance and patience, all participants made it to the end))) With such people, you can conquer any peaks!!! With all our female company, we wish you victory, heights, and many more interesting people and...
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Tatiana
July 30, 2019
First of all, I would like to point out that the tour was changed at our request. It was raining and we decided to go to the Abandoned Villages of Western Georgia. Sergey easily adjusted the route for us. The tour is unique. We were alone in this beautiful and amazing world of mountain nature! Of co...
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